Inverell #218. NSW

Located in northern NSW, privately owned abattoir more commonly known as Bindaree Beef. Recently received $23M government grant for a biogas project. Negotiations with union regarding EBA have stalled, workers have had a number of stop works in recent months over pay disagreements.

New privately owned and speciality sheep plants such as Goulburn (NSW) and Dubbo (NSW) killing 60% of NSW mutton are examples of what can be achieved by investment in capital1

Increased US beef into previous Australian market share in Japan, Korea and Taiwan increased pressure1

Live export of 500,000 cattle to Indonesia and Philippines increased pressure on operations of abattoirs1

Authors Note – Not sure if Inverell is solely a sheep abattoir at this point as in latter years it processes cattle. In regards to cattle processors, the majority of live export cattle during this period would have been Bos Indicus or crosses to South East Asia markets, sourced from mainly northern Australia. Not animals suited to heavy slaughter in Australia and from herds whos’ production was not likely destined for abattoirs in NSW.

April Inverell council refuse an application to financially back the abattoir27

Money was to be for expansions27

Amount applied was $30M27

Create 600 jobs27

Council refused as it could not afford the money without reduction of services to the community27

Legislative laws that restrict council finanical support of private enterprise27

Abattoir was appealing to the community to lobby council to change position27

Abattoir want to stay but need finanical support to expand27

July. Fear that beef imports will shut down facility4

due to Australia negotiating free trade agreements and abolishing 9 year ban on beef imports from mad cow countries.4

Mad cow disease is only present in spinal column, only muscle cuts are imported.4

currently employs 600 people at Inverell.4

2011

Bindaree Beef Inverell on video showing Cattle slaughter from live animal to point of retail.

Authors note – I highly recommend viewing of this video it is an extremely informative short narration of how a live animal is prepared for slaughter, stunned and the carcase processed – From Farm gate to your Plate.

Authors Note – If a plant is under industrial action, stoppage or ban (control of workers) there is a point at which the workers receive entitlements, plant may still be in partial operation so some are still working. If it is shutdown then the control is in the employers hands and the rules of payment are different for entitlements and all workers are affected irrespective of if in a union or not.

Strike at this point not an authorised action by union as that requires 72 hours notice to employer16

The following charts are from a submission by the Australian government Department of Agriculture to the Senate rural and regional affairs and transport references committee inquiry into Market consolidation and the red meat processing sector.